Telangana Fisheries Department Wins National Award for Best Inland Fisheries
Hyderabad: The Telangana Fisheries Department received the prestigious National Fisheries Award for Best Inland Fisheries, in recognition of its innovative initiatives and development-focused efforts. The award was presented at a grand ceremony held in Delhi on World Fisheries Day, by Union Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Dairy, Rajiv Ranjan Singh.
The award was received by Telangana’s Special Chief Secretary for Fisheries, Sabyasachi Ghosh, and Director of Fisheries, Priyanka Ala, and was formally handed over to Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao by Union Minister Singh.
Telangana’s Fisheries Department is recognized for its vast network, including 5,901 fisheries and cooperative societies, which collectively have over 4 lakh members. Since December 2023, 225 new societies have been established, increasing the membership base significantly. As part of its commitment to the welfare of fishers, the department also implemented a Group Accidental Insurance Scheme, which provided insurance coverage for 4.16 lakh fishers.
The state has also made significant strides in aquaculture, with new fish ponds being developed across 195.94 hectares at a cost of Rs 2145.44 lakh. Additionally, Telangana is setting up a Center of Excellence for the conservation of striped murrel fish at the Yellampalli Reservoir, in collaboration with ICAR-Central Institute of Freshwater Aquaculture (CIFA).
Further enhancing its contribution to the sector, Telangana is developing a state-of-the-art, export-oriented fish market in Koheda, Ranga Reddy district, at an investment of Rs 47.03 crore. The state’s achievements are reflected in its impressive fish production of 4.56 lakh tons in 2024, generating revenue of ₹7,059.04 crore, which contributes significantly to the state’s economy.
On the same day, Telangana also saw another win, as the Cherlapally Industrial Park in Hyderabad was recognized with the “Environmental Sustainable Champion” award by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), for its outstanding contribution to environmental sustainability under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
